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The TRC began operations in nine states (Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, and Wisconsin) and expanded its operations in January 2000 to the District of Columbia and thirteen eastern states. In the spring of 2001, the TRC began operating in the remaining lower 48 states. The states with the largest mercury collections in 2003 are, in order of collections, Florida, Minnesota, Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin, California, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Maryland, Iowa, Michigan, New York, Oregon, Texas, Massachusetts, and New Jersey.

TRC is a private corporation established by thermostat manufacturers Honeywell, General Electric, and White Rodgers. Under this voluntary, industry-sponsored program, heating, ventilation, and cooling contractors can drop off used mercury-switch thermostats—no matter what brand—at participating wholesalers. Wholesalers collect the thermostats in protective bins supplied by TRC. As of January 1, 2003, there are roughly 1,000 HVAC wholesale stores across the United States participating in the program. A list of participating wholesalers as of January 1, 2003 can be accessed at www.nema.org/trc.

When the bins are full, wholesalers send them to the TRC’s recycling center, where the TRC removes the switches and forwards them to a mercury recycler.

TRC focuses on heating and air-conditioning contractors and wholesalers because they sell and install the majority of thermostats and because the industry already has the infrastructure to support an effective collection program. The TRC encourages wholesalers to participate in the program and contractors to take used mercury-switch thermostats to participating wholesalers. The program is free to contractors. The only cost to wholesalers is a one-time $15 fee per collection container. The TRC picks up the costs of shipping, processing, and mercury recovery.

Some local governments have separate programs in place to manage recycling or disposal of used thermostats directly from homeowners. Homeowners can contact their local hazardous waste management office for more information.

For more information about the TRC program, contact Ric Erdheim, executive director of the corporation, at (703) 841-3249 or ric_erdheim@nema.org, or visit the TRC website at www.nema.org/trc.

NEMA is the leading trade association in the United States representing the interests of electroindustry manufacturers. Founded in 1926 and headquartered near Washington, D.C., its 400 member companies manufacture products used in the generation, transmission and distribution, control, and end-use of electricity. Domestic shipments of electrical products within the NEMA scope exceed $100 billion.

Press/Public Relations Contacts:
NEMA Communications Department
Email: communications@nema.org
Phone: (703) 841-3286
Fax: (703) 841-3386